2 plead guilty to painting swastika, hanging noose at home of African-American family

Created 05/14/2013 - 5:12pm

Two Spring Hill men have pleaded guilty to painting swastikas and racial slurs and hanging nooses at the homes of African-American families.

According to a news release from the Department of Justice, 20-year-old Dakota Calderhead admitted to fashioning a noose that was hung on a tree outside one home and from the mirror of a school bus in front of a second family's home on or about Dec. 30.

Nineteen-year-old Kristian Mathis admitted to spray painting a swastika and racial slurs in a family's driveway.

The two pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Nashville on Tuesday to depriving a person of his civil rights.

The defendants could face up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.